New Light on Newlyn

20 Oct 10:45 to 12 Jan 10:45

A range of new work produced by artists from West Cornwall

A range of new work produced by artists from West Cornwall is one of the highlights in a new exhibition at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery that explores the art that has been inspired by the Cornish fishing port of Newlyn, both past and present.

Newlyn was the centre of a famous art colony from the 1880s and continues to inspire artists today with its scenery, coast and quality of light.

‘New Light on Newlyn’ includes works from Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery’s permanent collections by famous artists such as Stanhope Forbes, Norman Garstin and John Noble Barlow. It also features a series of new contemporary work produced by selected members of the Newlyn Society of Artists (NSA).

“The exhibition is a bit of a departure for us,” explains Curator - Fine Art, Emma Philip. “We are known for our Newlyn works but previous exhibitions have only really showcased the paintings produced by the art colony in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For this show, selected members of the NSA went on a tour of our stores and have created new work in response to that of the historical painters in our collection. The end result is a really interesting mix of the old and new, and a totally fresh approach to a Newlyn-inspired exhibition here at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.”

‘New Light on Newlyn’ will be on display at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery from 20 October until 12 January 2013. Exhibition opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm Saturday. The exhibition is closed Sunday and Monday and also for Christmas/New Year from Sunday 23 December 2012. It will re-open after the festive break on Wednesday 2 January 2013. Admission is free and there is no need to book.

The Museum will be offering a number of related events while the exhibition is on display. These will include lunchtime talks, ‘Art Bites’ talks/tours, a guided tour led by NSA members Patrick Lowry and Susan Bleakley and a performance of Ken Turner's, 'Thought Behind the Brush and After'. Full details are available from www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk or 01752 304774.